How to litter train a kitty

How to litter train a kitty? This is probably the biggest concern of new cat owners. Training your cat to use a little can seem like a daunting task. New cat owners often worry that their cats will not learn to use a litter box. If cats are not happy with their litter box, they may decide that the carpet, couch, or even bed make better toilets than the little box. That’s why it is important to make the litter box a positive experience for your cat right from the start.

Getting Started

How to litter train a kitty

First off, if your cat was trained at all by a previous owner, it’s a good idea to be aware of the type of litter and litter box they used. It may be a good starting point for first few days of training. New homes and new circumstances can make the habits your kitten learned in the past forgotten. If the former owner trained the cat with sand or dirt make sure you start with this. This litter is never acceptable for use in the home, but if a kitten is used to it, then it must be gradually changed in order for your cat to accept it. Each day add more of a good type of litter to the box until the kitten gets used to the new type.

Location

The litter box should be placed in an area that is easily found by the cat or kitten. Make sure that when you change the litter you leave a little bit of the used litter in the box until your pet knows the scent of the litter box and can easily find it. Placing the litter box in a quiet out of the way corner will be appreciated by animals who like their privacy. The kitten should be placed in the litter box several times a day at first. This should happen after meals, after waking and after play sessions. Hopefully, you can catch your cat when he or she needs to relieve its self. This will create a routine that is the beginning of training.

Accidents

If your cat has an accident, never make him feel bad about it as that can create unnecessary behavioral issues. Instead, pick up the cat and take it to the litter box. Your kitten will not know why you are reprimanding it and may try to hide behind the couch or under the bed next time he needs to relieve himself. Praising your pet when it does go in the litter box is a good idea that can produce positive results.

Cleanliness

Making sure that the litter box is always clean is important after your cat gets the hang of using it. Understand that cats do not like to relieve themselves in dirty, overused litter boxes, so make sure that you clean out the box daily. This will also make sure that your house does not have a litter box odor. Many litters come with fresh scents, however, this scent may not be appreciated by your pet. It is best to purchase dust-free, unscented litter for your feline friend.

Conclusion

Make sure that these basics are followed. To litter train a kitty is one of the most important factors in good pet ownership. If a cat is not properly litter box trained the relationship with the whole family may suffer. No one wants to have a house riddled with cat feces or urine. If after proper training your cat starts to have accidents it may be due to a urinary infection, so be aware of this. Your veterinarian can help you decide if this is the cause. Enjoy the newest member of the family and do the work of proper training for a lifetime of friendship between you and your new pet.

About The Author

I am a Nebelung cat named Jack.
I am a rescue kitty who lives in Seattle with his human family.
I enjoy blogging, cuddling, napping, playing peekabooboo (it's a bit like "tag") and catnip.
I am a very gentle soul and my humans spoil me as they should. >^..^<